Simple Explanation

How long it takes for a signal to drop from high to low.

Concise Technical Definition

The time it takes for a signal to decrease from 90% to 10% of its maximum amplitude.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like how long it takes a ball to fall after being thrown up in the air—fall time measures how fast something fades down.

Industry Usage Summary

Fall time is used in measuring audio transients, amplifier performance, and signal processing speed—especially in fast digital or analog circuits.

Engineering Shortcut

Time from 90% to 10% amplitude drop in a waveform.

Full Technical Explanation

Fall time, sometimes referred to as "decay time" in audio or "slew rate" in electronics contexts, is a timing specification that measures how quickly a signal transitions from a high value (typically 90% of its peak amplitude) to a low value (10% of its peak amplitude). It is critical in evaluating the performance of audio equipment, digital logic circuits, and oscilloscopes. A short fall time indicates a fast response, important for preserving signal integrity and minimizing distortion in high-speed systems.